The Greater Raleigh Sports Council filled the PNC Arena restaurant Wednesday for its annual “We Love the Hurricanes” luncheon.

On Friday the arena will be packed as the Carolina Hurricanes open the 2013-2014 season hockey against the Detroit Red Wings.

“I’m very optimistic about this year” team owner Peter Karmanos Jr. said.

In an interview this week Karmanos talked about this year’s team and its chances in the NHL’s new Metropolitan Division. He talked of the financial resources being used to make it competitive saying “We’re not a budget team. We’re a cap team.”

That is a team willing to spend close to the NHL’s salary cap.

But Karmanos also discussed the future of the franchise. He is after all 70 years old. And recent developments involving him have led to questions about his plans for the franchise.

September proved to be a contentious month for Karmanos. Early in the month he fired his son Jason as executive vice president and assistant general manager of the Hurricanes. Jason Karmanos had been with the team for 15 years helping the Canes win the 2006 Stanley Cup.

This week it was learned Peter Karmanos had been fired as a consultant by Compuware the Detroit-based software company he co-founded. Karmanos already retired as Compuware’s CEO had a six-year $600000-a-year contract as a consultant terminated for making comments critical of company management the Detroit News reported.

Karmanos said neither development would affect the running or direction of the hockey franchise or result in a possible sale.

“If I were to sell the team I’m sure whoever bought it would keep it there” he said. “The league is resolute in not moving franchises not after what they went through in Phoenix. Besides Raleigh is too good a market and it’s growing like crazy.

“But the team is not for sale. As long as I’m breathing I will run the team and try to win another Stanley Cup.”

Karmanos has brought in new investors in recent years but said he still owns 75 percent of the franchise. He said he may look to add a few new investment groups but added “There’s not a pressing need for investors. We accomplished what we wanted to.”

Jason Karmanos’ dismissal was called a “family matter” by his father on Sept. 8 and Peter Karmanos declined to comment further on it. Jason Karmanos called it a “personal disagreement” saying it was not related to his job performance with the team.

Peter Karmanos left the door slightly cracked regarding Jason Karmanos possibly returning to the Hurricanes at some point and maintaining the family involvement with the team.

“I don’t know. Time will tell” Peter Karmanos said.

Jason Karmanos contacted Wednesday night was not sure if that would occur.

“I believe the franchise is entering a very critical period of time and that is why I was particularly frustrated to be removed from the team last month” he said via email. “I have not spoken to my dad since the day he fired me and on that day he made it very clear he did not want me working for his team.

“I have no idea who would own the team if something should happen to my dad. That is something our family has never discussed.”

Jason Karmanos’ duties included helping oversee the day-to-day operations of the team as well as contract negotiations and player movement. He also monitored the hockey operations of the Hurricanes’ minor-league affiliates.

Hurricanes president and general manager Jim Rutherford said this week that Jason Karmanos’ responsibilities were split among Ron Francis vice president of hockey operations; Mike Amendola executive vice president and chief financial officer; Brian Tatum vice president of team operations; and Darren Yorke video scout and hockey operations assistant.

“They’re more than capable of picking up those duties” Rutherford said.